Poor care fears for rising number of dementia patients

More than 320,000 of the 400,000 people living in care homes in England, Wales and Northern Ireland now have dementia or severe memory problems, according to charity estimates.

The Alzheimer's Society said the figure was almost 30% higher than previous estimates because of the rise in the ageing population and improvements in data collection. The report also claims that many people have low expectations about the quality of life that someone with dementia can have in a care home.

Campaigners are calling for improved training for staff and more action to prevent abuse.